Automatic microfiche copier

ABSTRACT

A microfiche copier automatically scans successive rows of microfiche frames and copies the scanned frames onto a fanfolded copy web, to produce a copy set which when bound on one edge provides a quasi duplex book form of copy of the successive frames. The scanning of successive microfiche frames is synchronized with the copy web to locate each frame on a separate panel of the fanfolded web.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,784,303 Sullivan, Jr. et al. Jan. 8,1974 [5 AUTOMATIC MICROFICHE COPIER 3,620,623 11/1971 Reams, Jr. et a1.355/53 Inventors: William A. Sullivan, Jr., Webster;

Augustus W. Griswold, Rush, both of NY.

Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford,

Conn.

Filed: May 1, 1972 Appl. No.1 249,232

US. Cl 355/50, 355/53, 355/54, 355/64 Int. Cl. G03b 27/46 Field ofSearch 355/53, 3, 7, ll, 355/l4,'5(), 54, 64

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Renold 355/54 PrimaryExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard A. WintercornAttorney-James J. Ralabate et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A microfiche copier automatically scans successive rows ofmicrofiche frames and copies the scanned frames onto a fanfolded copyweb, to produce a copy set which when bound on one edge provides a quasiduplex book form of copy of the successive frames. The scanning ofsuccessive microfiche frames is synchronized with the copy web to locateeach frame on a separate panel of the fanfolded web.

13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTE JAN 81974 SBEHIGF 5 PATENIEB JAN 8I974 FIG. 3

PAIENHD JAN 8 I974 SHEEISBF 5 FIG. 8A

, FIG. 8B

1 AUTOMATIC MICROFlCI-IE COPIER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to the reproduction of documents frommicrofiche cards, and more particularly to the automatic reproduction ofa sequence of frames from a microfiche card and the production of copieson a continuous fanfold web in quasi bound volume duplex form.

A microfiche card is a convenient form for the microfilm storage ofmultipage documents, wherein each page of the document is reproduced ona separate frame of the card. Prior art equipment is known wherein themicrofiche card is positioned on the transport carriage of a reader, andthe carriage is then adjusted to selected x and y coordinates to place aselected frame of the card in position to be enlarged and projected on aviewing screen. Such a selected frame may then be copied by variousphotocopying techniques to produce a readable macro copy of the selectedframe. One common and convenient manner of reproducing the frame is thatknownas electrostatic photocopying, or xerography. This manual processof selecting a desired microfiche card frame and then copying it, isconvenient and suitable if only one or two frames of the card aresought. However, if the document sought from the microfiche card is amultipage document presented on a large number of successive frames ofthe microfiche card, the need to proceed manually from frame to frame ina step and repeat process can be time consuming and expensive,particularly if one desires to obtain multiple copies of the document.Not only is one burdended with the process of successive manuallocations of the microfiche card, but the resultant single sheet copiesmust then be collated and assembled. I

In accordance with the present invention, however, a microfiche cardcarriage or transport is provided whereby successive frames of the card,including the frames of successive rows and of the entire card ifdesired, are automatically scanned in a continuous scan mode (asdistinguished from a step and repeat mode) and projected ontophotocopying equipment for the production of macro copy of the document.The photocopying aspect of the invention includes the continuous feed ofcopy paper in synchronism with the optical scan of the microfiche card,utilizing a fanfold form of copy paper that delivers the copy incollated quasi book form. Multiple copies may be obtained by repeatingthe complete scan sequence a desired number of times.

The microfiche carriage or transport mechanism of the present inventionincludes a microfiche card mount that is carried on mutuallyperpendicular ways for movement along x and y coordinates, withappropriate mechanical stops and electrical controls to reference thecard mount to the optics and reproduction elements of the copyingsystem. With the microfiche card positioned in the mount, the scanstarts with the first frame of the first row, progresses continuouslyacross the first row of the card, then in a flyback operation returns tothe first column and begins to scan the second row of microfiche frames,etc. Scan is effected by transporting the card mount, while the copyingoptics is retained stationary.

Preferably, the copy reproduction system is a well known electrostaticcopier of conventional design, including a photoreceptor drum thatrotates with a surface speed that is synchronized with the speed of scanof the microfiche card. As is well understood in the art, an opticalscan image of the microfiche frames is projected onto the drum to formelectrostatic latent images of the successive frames on thephotoreceptor drum, and the latent images are developed withelectroscopic powder and transferred to a receiving web where the imagesare permanently formed as readable macro copy. of importance to thepresent invention is the form of the fanfolded receiving or copy web.Viewed as afolded stack, each flat sheet is joined to the next by acrease or fold line along adjacent side edges, with folds alternating indirection. In addition, each sheet is provided with a series of punchesalong one side edge, with the punches for all the sheets being along thesame side edge of the fanfolded stack. The punches enable a series ofsheets upon which the microfiche images have been formed to be assembledwith a binder into quasi book form. In addition, the punches provide areference for the location of the fanfolded web sheets in their feedthrough the photocopying apparatus, and the sensing of these punches ata reference point in the feed path is used to synchronize the microfichescan with copy web feed, so that each microfiche frame is printed orcopied onto a separate sheet of the copy web.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide for theautomatic photocopying of a succession of microfiche frames.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for the continuousscan of successive frames and successive rows of frames of themicrofiche card, and the projection thereof into the reproduction systemof a copier.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for thesynchronization of the scan of successive microfiche frames with theoperation of a copying system for reproducing said frames in macro copy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for saidreproduction of a fanfolded web, wherein each microfiche frame isreproduced on a separatesheet of said web. I

And still a further object of the present invention is to provide forsaid reproduction of said fanfolded web, wherein the copies ofsuccessive microfiche frames are produced in collated and quasi bookform.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of one exemplary and illustrativeembodiment of the invention, had in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to like orcorresponding parts, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, partially in section, of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional and enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 3-3of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the fragmentary portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a stepping gate used in thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5; I

FIG. 7A-D are stepwise operational views of the gate shown in FIG.

FIG. 8A-C are stepwise operational views of a cam opener for themicrofiche holder; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the microficheholder, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRlPTlON Referring to the drawings, a microfiche card mountis generally identified by the numeral 20, and comprises two plates 21and 22 hinged along their back edges at 23. Both plates are essentiallyframe-like in structure defining overlying central rectangular openareas corresponding in shape and size to the record area of a standardmicrofiche card. The open area 24 in bottom plate 22 may be open orcovered with a transparent film or glass plate if desired. The open area25 in the upper plate is preferably covered with a transparent film orglass plate 26 having opaque grid markings thereon corresponding to thestandard microfiche frame layout, the grid markings delineating thespacing between microfiche frames. A pair of registration pins 27project upwardly from the back section of the lower frame plate 22,corresponding to registration apertures provided in the microfiche card.A microfiche card is inserted in the mount by raising upper plate 21about the back hinges 23, placing a microfiche card on the bottom plate22 with its registration holes engaged by registration pins 27, andlowering the top plate 21 thereover. Each frame of the microfiche cardshould be delineated by the opaque grid on glass plate 26. By controlledtransport on the mount 20, successive frames may be copied.

The mount is moveable along x and y axes on pair of rails 31 and 32respectively. The pair of rails 31 extend along the x axis and aremounted on brackets 33 supported by the base 34. Carriage 35 is mountedfor linear traverse along rails 31 by sets of paired roller 36, and thiscarriage carries the pair of rails 32 mounted thereon by brackets 37.The microfiche mount 20 is in turn mounted for linear traverse on the yaxis rails 32 by sets of paired rollers 38 affixed to the underside ofbottom plate 22 by brackets 39. Thus, by grasping the handle 40 attachedto the forward edge of the bottom plate 22 of mount 20, an operator maymanually move the mount 20 along the x and y axes on rails 31 and 32,respectively.

Carriage 35 carries an upstanding plate 41 whose upper portion is shapedto provide a sloping cam surface 42 terminating in a depression or notch43. A cam follower roll 44 is mounted on upper plate 21 of mount 20, andprojects therefrom to align with the cam surface 42. The cam surface 42and follower roll 44 are relatively located so that when the mount 20 ispulled forward to the maximum limit of travel along rails 32, the roll44 engages the cam 41 near the end of the mounts traverse, is caused toride up its sloping surface 42, and finally enters notch 43 at the verylimit of forward travel of mount 20 along rails 32. When follower roll44 rides up cam surface 42, it pivots upper plate 21 about the hinges23, and when the roll enters notch 43 the mount 20 is retained in itsmost forward position with its plates 21 and 22 separated or open forremoval of a microfiche card and the positioning of another card on themount. With a new card positioned on the mount, the operator may pushthe mount rearwardly by means of the handle 40, overriding the retentionforce microfiche card on rails 31 and 32. First, it is desired todescribe the x axis transport. A rigid drive strap 51 is affixed tocarriage 35 and extends therefrom to enter the nip between rollers 52and 53. Roller 52 is the drive roller of the pair and is driven in therotational direction of arrow 54 by motor 55. Idler roll 53 is carriedby a yoke 56 mounted for reciprocatory movement in the directions ofarrow 57 under the drive force of solenoid 58. When solenoid 58 isenergized, roller 53 is forced upwardly to pinch strap 51 between it anddrive roller 52, thereby causing roller 52 to drive the strap 51 andconsequently the carriage 35 and microfiche mount 20 to the right, asviewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. This direction of travel is part of the scanmode of operation. When the carriage has been driven to the positionwhich defines the limit of scan of the microfiche card 29, finge 59engages switch 60, which deenergizes solenoid 58,

withdrawing roller 53, and thereby releasing the drive effect of roll 52on strap 51.

The carriage 35 is now free to return to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1and 2, in what is a non-scan or flyback mode of operation. Flyback ofcarriage 35 is accomplished by lever 61 being driven by motor 63 in arotary path indicated by arrow 62. A ball 64 on the end of lever 61enters slot 65 in plate 66 mounted on the bottom of carriage 35,translating the circular path of ball 64 into rectiliner motion of thecarriage. The plate 66 and and lever 61 are relatively positioned sothat when the carriage has reached the end of its traverse in the scanmode under the drive of roller 52, ball 64 is adjacent one end of slot65, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When the finger 59 on carriage 35actuates switch to stop the drive effect of roller 52, motor 63 isenergized to drive lever 61, causing ball 64 to enter slot and camcarriage 35 to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The length oflever 61 is selected so that when it has traversed a 180 arc, carriage35 is returned almost to its full flyback position. Because the ball 64will leave the slot 65 at this point with the slot occupying a tangentrelation to the arcuate or circular path of the ball 64, as the ballleaves the slot the return force applied by the ball 64 and lever 61 oncarriage 35 is essentially zero. The limit of full flyback return ofcarriage 35 is selected by the abutment of carriage 35 against stop 67.The flyback return of the carriage by lever 61 being. just short of thisposition, the last increment of this return traverse is effected by amagnetic pull on the carriage by magnet 68. When carriage 35 strikes thestop 67, finger 70 carried by bracket 71 depending from mount 20actuates one of the switches 69. This switch actuation stops motor 63and its lever 61, and energizes solenoid 58 to place roller 53 intopressure engagement with strap 51 and thereby cause drive roller 52 toonce again drive carriage 35 in scan mode of traverse along the rails31.

In the foregoing description the flyback drive of carriage 35 wasinitiated at the end of a complete scan traverse of carriage 35 alongrails 31, so that ball 64 of lever 61 entered the end of slot 65. Aswill be described subsequently, controls may be provided whereby flybackmay be initiated at an intermediate point in the scan traverse ofcarriage 35, before the end of a complete traverse. For this purposeportion 72 of plate 66 is beveled or sloped to enable the ball 64 oflever 61 to enter the slot 65 from locations other than endwise of theslot.

Referring next to the y axis transport of microfiche mount 20, it isaccomplished in a stepwise manner by the combination of a constant forcespring 80 acting between anchor 81 on carriage 35 and anchor 82 on mount20, and a mechanical gate 83 mounted on carriage 35 cooperating with aseries of depending pins 85 carried by mount 20. Gate 83 (see FIGS. 5, 6and 7) comprises a plate 86 having a longitudinal channel 87 andtransverse channel 88 formed in its upper surface. Channel 87 is closedby wall 91 at one end. Bar 89 is slidably mounted in channel 88 and isprovided at one end with a projecting stem 90 which projects through ahole in the end wall 91 in channel 87. A coil spring 92 bears betweenthe head of stem 90 and the exterior of end wall 91 to urge the bar 89against said end wall in the position shown in FIG. 5. Bar 89 isprovided with a diagonal channel 93 in its upper surface. An abutment 94for stem 90 is provided on base 34. The line of pins 85 on mount ispositioned to cause the pins to enter channel 88. The operation of thisgate 83 is illustrated in FIGS. 7A-D. Spring 80 forces mount 20rearwardly on rails 32, or in the direction that would be upwardly inthe drawing FIG. 1, until the first pin 85 enters the channel 88 andabuts the bar 89, as shown in FIG. 7A. This action locates the mount 20in a first reference position along the y axis. When the mount 20 andcarriage are now caused to traverse to the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and2 in a scan mode, at the end of the traverse and just before finger 59engages switch 60, stem 90 of bar 89 is driven against the abutment 94,causing relative movement between the bar 89 and plate 86 against thecompression of spring 92 until the end 93a of channel 93 aligns withchannel 88 to receive the first pin 85. As a result, the first pin 85enters the diagonal slot 93 and is held, as shown in FIG. 7B. Ascarriage 35 begins its flyback, spring 92 returns the bar 89 to itsoriginal position relative to plate 86 placing the end 93b of channel 93in alignment with channel 88, permitting the first pin 85 to completeits passage through the diagonal channel 93 as the second pin 85 abutsthe bar 89, as shown in FIGS. 7 c and 7d. In this manner, with thecompletion of each scan transverse of mount 20 and carriage 35 along thex axis on rails 31, the mount 20 is caused to advance one step along they axis on rails 32. Movement of mount 20 in the reverse direction,however, as by pulling on handle 40, is freely accomplished, because inthis direction of movement the bar 89 is freely cammed by the entranceof each pin 85 into channel 93 permitting the pins to pass through thegate freely.

The sequence of operation of the microfiche transport is therefore asfollows. Mount 20 is pulled completely forward by handle until camfollower roll 44 rides up cam surface 42 and sets in notch 43. The mount20 is thus opened for positioning of a microfiche card therein. Themount is then pushed back manually to override the restraint of notch43, and under the influence of spring 80 the mount is moved along rails32 until the first pin 85 engages the gate 83. This positions the mountfor a scanning transport of the first row of microfiche frames. Theelectrical control circuit of the machine (not shown) is then energized.The first action in the controlled sequence of operations is actuationof the flyback motor 63, causing carriage 35 to be moved to the left asviewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 until finger 70 engages the first in the line ofswitches 69. Actuation of switch 69 stops the flyback motor and engagesthe solenoid 58 to drive strap 51 against roll 52 operated by scanningdrive motor 55. At this point, the mount is in position to begin thescan of the first microfiche frame in the first row of frames. Transportof carriage 35 and mount 20 is continued under the control of drivemotor 55 until switch is actuated by finger 59. Just before thisoccurrence, scan of the last microfiche frame in the first r'ow has beencompleted and gate 83 has been actuated by abutment 94. On actuation ofswitch 60 solenoid 58 is deener'gized, thereby releasing strap 51 andcarriage 35 from the effect of drive roll 52, and at the same timeflyback motor 63 is energized, causing flyback traverse of carriage 35.This time, when carriage 35 reaches the limit of flyback travel, gate 83has passed the first pin 85, and when the flyback transport of carriage35 is completed under the influence of magnet 68, finger engages thesecond of switches 69. This switch actuation stops the flyback motor 63and energizes solenoid 58 to bring strap 51 into driving engagement withroller 52. At this point traverse of the mount 20 causes a scan of thesecond row of microfiche frames on card 29 in mount 10. The scanning ofsuccessive rows of microfiche frames is continued in this manner untilthe last frame on the last row is scanned. At that point closure ofswitch 60 following closure of the last switch 69 causes a shut down ofthe entire transport mechanism instead of actuation of the flybackmotor. Electrical circuitry for effecting the foregoing controlfunctions in response to the sequence of switch operations is quite wellknown and understood in the art, and therefore is not disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, as the same would only serve to confuse thedisclosure, particularly since the circuitry per se forms no part of thepresent invention.

The purpose of the foregoing transport mechanism is, as stated above, toobtain a continuous row by row optical scan of the microfiche card forphotocopying thereof and the production of macro copy in quasi bookform. To this end, a stationary light 101 is positioned over the mount20, and an enlarging lens 102 is positioned under the carriage 35 in thetop of the housing 34. The light source and lens are located in opticalalignment and in a position to effect the scan operation of themicrofiche card 29 outlined above as a result of the described scanningtransport operation of mount 20. The enlarged optical image frommicrofiche 29 formed by lens 102 passes through scanning slit 103 and isfocused on the surface of a rotating xerographic photoreceptor drum 104.As is conventional and well understood in the art; the light image thusapplied to drum 104 produces an electrostatic latent image that isdeveloped with electroscopic toner powder at development station 105;this developed image is transferred to paper web 106 at transfer station107, thereby providing a succession of images of the frames of themicrofiche card 29 on web 106; the transferred images on web 106 arefused to the web at 108; after transfer, residual toner on drum 104 isremoved by brush 109, residual electrostatic image charges aredissipated at 110,

and the surface of drum 104 is uniformly electrostatically charged at111 in readiness to continue to receive and record optical imagesthrough scanning slit 103.

The paper web 106 on which the copies of microfiche data are reproducedis shown as a fanfolded web, which when folded provides a stack ofrectangular sections or panels. Each such panel is formed bysuccessively reversed folds along crease lines 112. In addition, oneither side of alternate crease lines each panel is punched with aseries of holes 113. When fanfolded, the punched holes 113 for all thepanels are aligned along one side of the stack. These aligned holesprovide for ready edge binding of a selected stack of the panels,providing a quasi duplex book form for the bound stack which may bepaged through from the edge of the stack opposite the binding. Oppositesides of a page are thus in actuality composed of two successive panelsof the fanfoldcd web.

In order to provide effective book form reproductions, the scan of eachframe of the microfiche card 29 must be synchronized with the feed ofweb 106, so that each complete microfiche frame is centrally duplicatedon a separate panel of the web 106. This result is accomplished by thephotocell and light source couple 114 sensing the passage of thesuccessive lines of punched holes 113 in web 106, and a similarphotocell and light source couple 115 sensing the passage of successivenotches 116 in bar 1 17 mounted on carriage 35. Notches 116 bear anestablished positional relationship to the beginning of'each frame alonga row of frames on a microfiche card 29 registered in the mount 20. Theposition of the photocell-light couple 114 occupies an establishedrelationship along the web feed path to the travel path of an image ondrum 104 from scanning slit 103 to the transfer station 107. Saidrelationship of these two phtocell-light couples are established so thatwhen the two photocell-light couples sense their respective apertures insynchronism or in time coincidence, the printout of the followingmicrofiche frame will occur centered on the following panel of web 106.In order to maintain this synchronism, appropriate coincidence measuringcircuitry, as is well known in the art, is employed, and a variablespeed motor is used for drive motor 55 with well known control circuitryto spend up or slow down the motor in accordance with any out ofcoincidence relationship between the outputs of the two photcell-lightcouples 114 and 115.

When a microfiche card 29 has been placed in mount 20 and the mount hasbeen moved to starting position, as previously explained, and theoperational and control circuits are energized, flyback motor 63 isenergized and the carriage is moved to its starting position with finger70 actuating the first in the line of switches 69. This would be allthat would be necessary to start the scanning movement of carriage 35 ifit were not necessary to synchronize the scan with the movement 7 andposition of the panels of web 106. Therefore, after the first switch 69is actuated, scanning transport of carriage 35' is not, begun until aset of punched apertures 113 passes the photocell-light couple 114, tobe certain that the line of scan starts with the necessary synchronismbetween web feed position and microfiche scan position. The same is alsotrue for the scan of each successive row of the microfiche 29. The web106 is continuously fed at all times that the system is engerized,therefore during each flyback operation synchronism between microfichescan and web feed is lost. Accordingly, scanning transport of carriage35 after actuation of each switch 69 is not commenced until the passageof a set of punched apertures 113 is sensed by photocell-light couple114.

It is aparent the foregoing system can be utilized to scan a completemicrofiche card. It is also apparent that since the system hasinformation through the switches 69 as to which row is being scanned,and through the notches in bar 16 as to which frame in the row is inscan position, one can readily provide control circuitry to shut themachine off when a particular frame is reached; or indeed, one couldprovide more elaborate controls for automatically selecting anyparticular frame or frames, or sequence of frames for reproduction.

Having thus described one specific embodiment of the invention forpurposes of illustration and to facilitate a complete understandingthereof, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations willbe apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intendedthat the scope of the invention be limited to the particular form ordetails of this embodiment, and any modifications or variations that areembraced by the spirit and scope of the appended claims are contemplatedon being within the purview of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A microfiche copier, comprising a holder for mounting a microfichehaving a sereis of rows of image frames, means mounting said holder fortraverse along a first axis, means mounting said holder for traversealong a second axis, first drive means for traversing said holdercontinuously and uninterruptedly in one direction along said second axisin a scanning mode over the extent of a row of microfiche image frames,additional drive means traversing said holder in the other directionalong said second axis in a flyback mode, means defining the limit oftraverse in said scanning mode and for actuating said additional drivemeans, means defining the limit of traverse in said flyback mode and foractuating said first drive means, stepping means actuated at one of saidlimits of traverse for traversing said holder a fixed incrementaldistance corresponding to the spacing between rows of microfiche imageframes in one direction along said first axis, copying means, andoptical means for projecting to said copying means images of successiveframes of a microfiche positioned in said holder during a said scanningmode traverse of said holder.

2. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 1, wherein said copyingmeans includes a web upon which said images are reproduced, feed meansfor driving said web to expose successive predetermined portions thereofto said successive images, and means for sensing the passage ofpredetermined increments of said web, means associated with said holderfor sensing predetermined increments of traverse of said holder in saidscanning mode of traverse, said web increments and said scanning modetraverse increments being related to enable synchronizing of saidscanning mode traverse with said web feed to locate successive frameimages on a said successive web portions.

3. 'A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 2, wherein said web is afanfold of panels, each panel having punches positioned along an edgeadjacent alternate folds, said web increment sensing means sensing thepassage of said punches.

4. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 3, wherein said webincrement sensing means is a photoelectric-light couple.

5. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means forsensing increments of traverse of said holder comprises a series ofincrementally spaced indicia carried by said holder, and means forsensing the passage of said indicia past a reference point in saidscanning mode traverse.

6. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 5, wherein said indicia area series of apertures in a plate positioned along said second axis, andsaid indica sensing means is a photoelectric-light couple.

7. A transport apparatus for facilitating the row by row scanning of amicrofiche having rows of image frames, comprising a base, first ways onsaid base defining a line of traverse on a first axis, a carriage, meansmounting said carriage on said first ways for traverse along said firstaxis, second ways on said carriage defining a line of traverse on asecond axis perpendicular to said first axis, a holder, means mountingsaid holder on said second ways for traverse along said second axis,said holder comprising a pair of overlying frame plates both open intheir central areas, means for locating a microfiche in a referenceorientation between said plates with the images of said microfichepositioned in said open central areas, actuatable means on said holderand carriage for effecting controlled incremental stepping movement ofsaid holder along said second ways, means defining the limits oftraverse of said carriage corresponding to a row of microfiche imageframes along said first ways in both directions of said first axis,means for repetitively and cyclically driving said carriage forcontinuous uninterrupted traverse in each of said both directionsbetween said limits, and means on said base for actuating said steppingmeans at a selected point in the cyclical traverse of the carriage toeffect one incremental stepping movement of said holder corresponding tothe spacing between rows of microfiche image frames with each cyclicaltraverse of said carriage.

8. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said meansdefining said limits of traverse comprises switch means controlling saidcarriage drive means for reversing the direction of drive at each limitof traverse.

9. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein saidincremental stepping means comprises a set of pins on said holderequally spaced in a line parallel with said second axis, gate means onsaid carriage positioned to obstruct the passage of said pins thereby,means for constantly forcing said holder in a direction along saidsecond axis to force a first of said pins against said gate means, saidactuating means opening said gate means for the passage of one pintherepast on each cycle of traverse of said carriage.

10. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, and further includingmeans for continually sensing the position of said holder in itstraverse along said first axis.

11 A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 10, and further includingmeans for continually identifying the position of said holder in itsincremental traverse along said second axis.

12. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, and further includingmeans for continually identifying the position of said holder in theincremental traverse along said second axis.

13. -A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, and furtherincluding means for separating said frame plates to enable removal andinsertion of a microfiche therebetween.

1. A microfiche copier, comprising a holder for mounting a microfichehaving a sereis of rows of image frames, means mounting said holder fortraverse along a first axis, means mounting said holder for traversealong a second axis, first drive means for traversing said holdercontinuously and uninterruptedly in one direction along said second axisin a scanning mode over the extent of a row of microfiche image frames,additional drive means traversing said holder in the other directionalong said second axis in a flyback mode, means defining the limit oftraverse in said scanning mode and for actuating said additional drivemeans, means defining the limit of traverse in said flyback mode and foractuating said first drive means, stepping means actuated at one of saidlimits of traverse for traversing said holder a fixed incrementaldistance corresponding to the spacing between rows of microfiche imageframes in one direction along said first axis, copying means, andoptical means for projecting to said copying means images of successiveframes of a microfiche positioned in said holder during a said scanningmode traverse of said holder.
 2. A microfiche copier as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said copying means includes a web upon which saidimages are reproduced, feed means for driving said web to exposesuccessive predetermined Portions thereof to said successive images, andmeans for sensing the passage of predetermined increments of said web,means associated with said holder for sensing predetermined incrementsof traverse of said holder in said scanning mode of traverse, said webincrements and said scanning mode traverse increments being related toenable synchronizing of said scanning mode traverse with said web feedto locate successive frame images on said successive web portions.
 3. Amicrofiche copier as set forth in claim 2, wherein said web is a fanfoldof panels, each panel having punches positioned along an edge adjacentalternate folds, said web increment sensing means sensing the passage ofsaid punches.
 4. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 3, whereinsaid web increment sensing means is a photoelectric-light couple.
 5. Amicrofiche copier as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means forsensing increments of traverse of said holder comprises a series ofincrementally spaced indicia carried by said holder, and means forsensing the passage of said indicia past a reference point in saidscanning mode traverse.
 6. A microfiche copier as set forth in claim 5,wherein said indicia are a series of apertures in a plate positionedalong said second axis, and said indica sensing means is aphotoelectric-light couple.
 7. A transport apparatus for facilitatingthe row by row scanning of a microfiche having rows of image frames,comprising a base, first ways on said base defining a line of traverseon a first axis, a carriage, means mounting said carriage on said firstways for traverse along said first axis, second ways on said carriagedefining a line of traverse on a second axis perpendicular to said firstaxis, a holder, means mounting said holder on said second ways fortraverse along said second axis, said holder comprising a pair ofoverlying frame plates both open in their central areas, means forlocating a microfiche in a reference orientation between said plateswith the images of said microfiche positioned in said open centralareas, actuatable means on said holder and carriage for effectingcontrolled incremental stepping movement of said holder along saidsecond ways, means defining the limits of traverse of said carriagecorresponding to a row of microfiche image frames along said first waysin both directions of said first axis, means for repetitively andcyclically driving said carriage for continuous uninterrupted traversein each of said both directions between said limits, and means on saidbase for actuating said stepping means at a selected point in thecyclical traverse of the carriage to effect one incremental steppingmovement of said holder corresponding to the spacing between rows ofmicrofiche image frames with each cyclical traverse of said carriage. 8.A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said meansdefining said limits of traverse comprises switch means controlling saidcarriage drive means for reversing the direction of drive at each limitof traverse.
 9. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, whereinsaid incremental stepping means comprises a set of pins on said holderequally spaced in a line parallel with said second axis, gate means onsaid carriage positioned to obstruct the passage of said pins thereby,means for constantly forcing said holder in a direction along saidsecond axis to force a first of said pins against said gate means, saidactuating means opening said gate means for the passage of one pintherepast on each cycle of traverse of said carriage.
 10. A transportapparatus as set forth in claim 7, and further including means forcontinually sensing the position of said holder in its traverse alongsaid first axis.
 11. A transport apparatus as set forth in claim 10, andfurther including means for continually identifying the position of saidholder in its incremental traverse along said second axis.
 12. Atransport apparatus as set forth in claim 7, and further including meansfor conTinually identifying the position of said holder in theincremental traverse along said second axis.
 13. A transport apparatusas set forth in claim 7, and further including means for separating saidframe plates to enable removal and insertion of a microfichetherebetween.